Hi Jerry,

It seems like a natural response to search for an answer to what is percieved to be wrong with one's self or a significant other.  You are correct the internet is sometimes the chosen resource and the derived conclusions, though still inconclusive are jumped to.  

Sometimes, you encounter an individual who has suspicions and has not done any research and still comes to a conclusion about what they suspect is the cause.  Below is the body of a recent post, you may have read.  While there is a first degree relative of the individual in question, who has been diagnosed with BP, the rest of the information is insufficient.  Do you direct them to credible sources for more information and advise that an assessment must be done by a mental health professional for appropriate determination and also address safety, which are a clear and present issue?

I have been married for 4 years now but for the past 3 years i have discover that my husband has a BIG problem with the way he acts not just towards me, but with other people as well, for example while in traffic, in restaurant, co-workers, ect.

now i suspect he has a bipolar disorder, sometimes i get really afraid, today he evn told me he feels like killing me at times, he goes of at the mouth, insults metrows and breaks things around us, and 5 minutes later he acts as if nothing has happend can this be his problem?

i know for a fact he has a sister with a bipolar disorder, bt should i do? im afraid he will hurt me without knowing , as i mention before he tents to forget 5 minutes later, please i need help write me back at xxx.xxxx.xxx

One of the problems with information available on the internet is that while it does educate the lay community, it is not sufficent enough for a person to perform a  differential diagnosis.  There is information from the DSM-IV and a decision tree online but without the proper education, the lay person will still be guessing and suspicious.

At some point when suspicions become well founded or behavior is dysfunctional, then a MH professional must be seen for an assessment and then comes getting the individual to agree.

Jerry Kennard, Health Guide

4/15/09 10:28am

I agree absolutely. Your reply also makes me aware of the limitations of how people work with questions and answers (including me). One question tends to be responded with one answer and then all goes quiet. My instinct is to ask for lots of information before I even provide a tentative response. In many cases we have, I suspect, a half asked question and a half-effective response.

dark angel

6/22/09 12:39pm

i don't think i know that i am bipolar

some people don't believe the doctors

they keep, like the voices in my head, trying to get me to say that i am affected with schizophrenia 

sometimes i think i am the only one that can tell and/or see the bipolar because i am the one going through it

doctors have some talent in that area too

but if i don't tell him everything or be completely honest with him, he won't know either

so it is hard to deal with the people around me because they are treating me different

i don't know what difference it makes what  to call me, but i know i have plenty of ups and downs--(hyperness and melloness)

that is what i call it

darkangel

"The question may appear simple but it's actually loaded with assumptions..."

Thank you for this article.  My mother has told me on more than one occassion that she thinks I am BiPolar.  When I was joking about it one day at work, even though she said this a few times a while ago, my employer since 2001 "Pshawed" it & said "absolutely not!"  That kinda gave me some comfort.  But then the "What-ifs."  What if she's right?  What if I am?  I guess I am a bit crazy.  She is actually accurate when reminding me that I'm not living up to my full potential.  I do have problems with alcohol sometimes. {yeah, sometimes throughout my life... sorry.}  I am a self-hitter; though hadn't had an episode in years until recently, last week & 2 days ago.  I have been diagnosed as depressed.  I too am skeptical of self-diagnosing myself, or taking my Mom's word.  But I've looked into the possiblity that I'm Borderline Personality, or just have Anxiety, or depression or Manic-Depression.  {BP, I know, but MD is the term she used.}

I'm sure Frued could have a field day with all this talk about my Mother, but that's what really planted the seed.  I asked 2 different professionals, one Physchiatrist & one Therapist, flat-out, "People have told me that I seem bi-polar.  Could that be a possibilty?  Is that what's causing {insert reason for visit here}?"  They both told me that really didn't think so.  That they saw depression, anxiety, & probably laziness.  I go from highly-motivated {though not lately} to just a void of desire to do anything.  It really bothers me.  I've been taking Lexapro for too many years now & I'm not really sure it's working but am not going to go off it on my own.  {I have no insurance & can't really afford to go to someone again & figure this & pay more for a different drug.}  I had a very generous & empathetic doctor at the university I was attending & he gave me a bagful of samples.  And that was when I had the student clinic.  Now, nothing... and the supply is running lower week by week.

I'm sorry to ramble, this is my first time on this site & I'm just finding so much information & so many stories that I get, I FEEL, I KNOW.  

So, it's making me wonder:  Am I feeling this way because someone else "suspects" I'm BP, or because I really am?  I just really want to finally have control over myself, my life & it just seems a bit, well, hopeless.  Like, I'm never going to figure out what's wrong with me & why can't I function like like everyone seems to in the world?

Thank you for this post!  {I hope my mother reads it.}  ;~P